Gentle Ways to Ease Stomach Discomfort at Home

An upset stomach can ruin our day with incessant gastritis or severe pain. It can be triggered due to various factors- like eating wrong kinds of food, highly acidic or sweet or processed foods daily, NOT eating at the right time, eating too much or too little, consuming less soluble fibre, smoking, side-effects from concomitant medication, antibiotics and stress. Though you could take antacids or over-the-counter medication to combat acidity or pain, the root cause for the symptom needs to be addressed. If not done soon, the symptoms may worsen and affect quality of life in general.

Symptoms of An Upset Stomach

Watch out for these symptoms, and if they are persistent, you may need to consult a physician. But let’s not jump to conclusions and overthink, ok?

• Constant hiccups
• Bad breath
• Nausea
• Feeling uneasy or bloated
• Belching
• Too much gas – farting
• Heartburn
• Emesis or the urge to vomit

Effective Home Remedies for an Upset Stomach and Nausea

There is no need to rush to a doctor and worry incessantly about your symptoms. You could instead try to focus on doing these things at home, and start eating or drinking specific types of food which are tummy friendly.

• Hydration is key. Drinking rough water should help the digestive system absorb nutrients in the right manner, and dehydration can make symptoms worse.
• Avoid drinking too many cups of coffee or tea- they are highly acidic and can exacerbate acid reflux.
• Ginger is a great addition to your routine- in the form of teas or adding it into food. It has anti-inflammatory properties. But, too much is not going to help you either.
• Consumption of relatively bland foods, or not excessively spicy stuff should help a lot too.
• Don’t drink or smoke too much. Quitting is actually the best in the long run.
• Mint tea or in food is a great additive.
• Cinnamon is full of antioxidants, which can help reduce bloating or nausea.
• Cumin or jeera is your bestie here- take a spoonful of cumin seeds and add it to 200 ml of water. Boil it down to about half the volume, and then drink it up. Tastes yummy, and is great for the tummy. Win-win!
• Bananas – they are full of potassium, soluble fibres and vitamins
• Fenugreek seeds – making tea or adding them in food can help cool your body down and relieve any tummy distress.
• Hing or asafoetida, normally used to temper and add flare to our beloved dals and sambar or rasam
• Buttermilk or yoghurt is a great friend for the gut in general
• Gooseberries or amla are rich in Vitamin C- which will help you feel lighter. They are also full of fibre and antioxidants.
• Ajwain or carom seeds are great for you too.
• Massage or doing specific yoga poses can help reduce bloating

Infact, our pantry essentials are all gut-friendly if consumed in moderation.

Conclusion

Studies show that anxiety, panicking too much or amount of stress is a reliable indicator to understand how the gut gets affected. It begins to manifest as pain, and the abovementioned remedies are good when you are having a bad day. But, if the pain just refuses to go away, and is affecting your daily schedule, then it is time you consult a doctor or gastroenterologist. They can help you understand what is causing the symptom and how you can manage them.